Rabbits with Friends: Bonding Rabbits
Often we see questions about bonding rabbits. Since I keep intact rabbits, this is definitely not in my field of expertise. I usually defer questions of this nature to a wonderful friend, Kate Mackinnon. Kate is a prominant member of the Canadian rabbit community. She is best known for her association with the Canandian Rabbit Hopping Club, and for her role with the Against All Odds Rabbit Rescue. Her love and passion for rabbits is demonstrated in the unbiased, objective, advice she gives. With her permission, I have brought some of her advice to my website. I trust Kate and believe her advice to be the most accurate I've seen regarding things of this nature.
If you're thinking about getting a friend for your rabbit, or a bonded pair to start, here are some things to consider:
Rabbits are territorial, but can do well in pairs. However, you can't just put two rabbits together and expect them to get along,. They need time to get used to each other and bond. Unfortunately, not all pairings works, even if you have litter mates.
Litter mates are as much of a gamble as non-related rabbits are. Some will get along while others will fight. Gender doesn't really play much of a role when trying to decide what pairs will work. If you decide to get litter mates, they will probably need to be separated before they are old enough to be neutered. A male and female risk breeding and same sex pairs risk fights as hormones hit.
If you want to start with babies, you are just as good getting unrelated rabbits as you are litter mates.
If you really want a bonded pair, adults that are already neutered are the best way to go, or an already bonded pair. I would typically recommend getting 1, having it neutered, then finding an adult that is already neutered to try bonding (setting up meetings to see if they have potential to get along). If you do get 2 babies, be prepared to have 2 rabbits that don't get along. That's just a risk when you try bonding.
As for neutering, males can be done once the testicles drop, while females are usually done after about 5 months old. It can be good to give them time to settle in before getting them neutered if you get them when they are old enough to be done.
I have single rabbits and a bonded pair (have had other pairs in the past as well). I will say that some rabbits do like to have a bond mate and do better with a friend. Others do not want to have a bond mate, but might be ok with play dates on neutral territory. Some just hate other rabbits and want nothing to do with them. There isn't one answer that fits every rabbit. Even neutered rabbits might not bond, and some intact can bond well.
If you're thinking about getting a friend for your rabbit, or a bonded pair to start, here are some things to consider:
Rabbits are territorial, but can do well in pairs. However, you can't just put two rabbits together and expect them to get along,. They need time to get used to each other and bond. Unfortunately, not all pairings works, even if you have litter mates.
Litter mates are as much of a gamble as non-related rabbits are. Some will get along while others will fight. Gender doesn't really play much of a role when trying to decide what pairs will work. If you decide to get litter mates, they will probably need to be separated before they are old enough to be neutered. A male and female risk breeding and same sex pairs risk fights as hormones hit.
If you want to start with babies, you are just as good getting unrelated rabbits as you are litter mates.
If you really want a bonded pair, adults that are already neutered are the best way to go, or an already bonded pair. I would typically recommend getting 1, having it neutered, then finding an adult that is already neutered to try bonding (setting up meetings to see if they have potential to get along). If you do get 2 babies, be prepared to have 2 rabbits that don't get along. That's just a risk when you try bonding.
As for neutering, males can be done once the testicles drop, while females are usually done after about 5 months old. It can be good to give them time to settle in before getting them neutered if you get them when they are old enough to be done.
I have single rabbits and a bonded pair (have had other pairs in the past as well). I will say that some rabbits do like to have a bond mate and do better with a friend. Others do not want to have a bond mate, but might be ok with play dates on neutral territory. Some just hate other rabbits and want nothing to do with them. There isn't one answer that fits every rabbit. Even neutered rabbits might not bond, and some intact can bond well.